"PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED" (1986)

 







WOW- I just watched "PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED" (directed by Francis Ford Coppola) this is only the second time I watch it -it's awesome (one of my favs now).

Nic Cage basically steals it; but what a great cast !
Kathleen Turner was amazing too. She was at the peak of her popularity.

The other luminaries were Helen Hunt/ Joan Allen/Maureen O'Sullivan/Jim Carrey/Leon Ames/Barbara Harris/Don Murray/Sofia Coppola/--what???

I didn't fully appreciate it when it came out & took it at face value; almost as fluff (what a fool I was, or maybe just immature).

I can't believe I was 29 yrs old when it was released & didn't see the layers I saw in it today.

I cried so much now at 56 with all my life's experience/it was a welcomed, emotional experience.
 Now I want the poster & to watch with other people who've never seen it.

It is so much more than a time travel piece. It brings up issues of family, decisions, love, maturity and many more...

If you never watched it, treat yourself.

If you have, revisit it and see what you may have missed.

Watch & enjoy...let me know what you think....

P.S. Nic Cage's butt looks great in the last shot--just sayin'

"TOWELHEAD" & OTHER "WTF" FILMS

 




I JUST ADDED A NEW FILM TO MY "WTF" WAS THAT FILM COLLECTION.

I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS FILM EXCEPT IT HAD THE HOT AARON ECKHART IN IT & IT WAS A HUMAN INTERST STORY; I HAD NO IDEA IT WOULD BE SO TWISTED.

GLAD I SAW IT ALTHOUGH IT MADE ME UNEASY AT TIMES...

"TOWELHEAD" (2007 DIRECTED BY ALAN BALL)

Not for the faint of heart.
It's a bit "LOLITA" 2.0.
I was not expecting this to be so sexual-- (this is from a semi-autobiographical book of the same name by ALICIA ERIAN)
I suppose I should have had a clue knowing this is the same director of "SIX FEET UNDER", "TRUE BLOOD" AND "AMERICAN BEAUTY"
The actors are great, except the overacting of  Peter Macdissi (he's Ball's lover & is in many of Ball's projects/good looking man though).

 PAVEL-8-2 reviews it best (although, unlike PAVEL, I do believe the main character, Jasira, knows the power of seduction; however, he describes it well:

"I can see why many reviewers hate this movie. It's cringe-worthy to watch the sexual awakening of a pubescent teen, when her parents and other important adults are childishly self-centered, in contrast to her own childlike innocence, honesty and vulnerability. That contrast and that cringe are what make it real and relevant. An unnerving part of the story is that the protagonist is never a victim..."

Other films I recommend if you're into the head game, off-beat types are:

1.         "HARD CANDY"
Before "Juno" Ellen Page gives a riveting performance in this nail-biting "Misery" type movie.

2.          "TO DIE FOR"
For my money it is Nicole Kidman's best performance ever. A young Joaquin Phoenix is in it too.

3./4./5. Three Lee Daniels' films:

3.         "THE PAPERBOY"
Again Nicole Kidman is unrecognizably magnificent. John Cusack is sick & Zak Efron adorable. This movie is INTENSE!

4.          "SHADOWBOXER"
 When an assassin is diagnosed with terminal cancer, she decides to carry out one final killing, assisted by her lover and stepson, Mikey.  Nuf said !

 

  5.        "THE WOODSMAN" Kevin Bacon gives a harrowing performance.

Of course there's "Precious" -by Daniels too- bet you've seen this one. It's his most popular except for his misstep with "The Butler" last year ( it was so safe it was kinda of yawn for me).

So if you want chick flicks stay away from these but if you want your  mind f___ked  then by all means check them out. 

DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU...

"DOG DAY AFTERNOON" & 'DALLAS BUYERS CLUB"

"I'll take care of you. I'll make you happy" is what the real life Sonny Wojtowicz is actually known for by those he loved. Sure there are contradictory stories about his actions, state-of-mind and erratic behavior but "I'll take care of you. I'll make you happy" was the one agreed constant.

 In both  "DOG DAY AFTERNOON" & "DALLAS BUYERS CLUB" you see both leading men carry this message-at high cost-throughout both films ( Sonny Wojtowicz played by Al Pacino in DDF, in the best acting immersion of his career and Ron Woodroof played almost as brilliantly by Matthew McConaughey in DBC-who just won the Golden Globes this year for best actor)

After seeing "DALLAS BUYERS CLUB" last week I couldn't remember a film which had me cheer more loudly for the anti-hero turned hero until tonight when I revisited "DOG DAY AFTERNOON".
They both start out acting on purely selfish reasons but one starts rooting for their intentions early on. More importantly they are both based on real life people and events.


YOU HAVE GOT TO RENT "DOG DAY AFTERNOON" AGAIN !!! 

WHEN YOU DO, PLEASE GO ONLINE AND READ THE AMAZING TRIVIA RELATED TO THIS REMARKABLE FILM.
(Not the least as seeing a young Harvey Fierstein, appearing (uncredited) as one of the gay demonstrators).

The reason I have to really tip my rainbow hat to "DOG DAY AFTERNOON" is because the film is from 1975 and is candidly addressing issues of homosexuality (without stereotyping Sonny-who is in a traditional marriage with two kids-extremely masculine and extremely vocal about his feelings for his male lover). The issue of transgenders which is discussed  and celebrated by Sonny and the post Stonewall gays in New York City, but what pulled at my heart strings was a brief but touching moment when a cop tenderly helps Leon-the transgender-with a much needed drink of water. Additionally, it's the first time I remember a film openly discussing same sex marriage. Did I mention this was 1975?

I cannot thank director Sidney Lumet enough!
He directs fearlessly and armed with brutal reality in every scene. He was also smart for not calling the film "The Boys in the Bank"-which was the magazine article the film was based on; it would have sounded too much, in my opinion, like the campy, gay movie, " The Boys in the Band".

A well deserved Oscar went to writer Frank Pierson; however, Lumet allowed most of the improvisations from ALL the actors, which lends to the natural interactions amongst the characters.

In 2013/2014 we often forget how the mere mention of  words like "I love a man"-from a man- in a film was groundbreaking, Those of us-namely me-who are old enough to remember exalt "DOG DAY AFTERNOON" for it's immeasurable  bravery.

What "DALLAS BUYERS CLUB" does is reflect & remind us even further about stigmas that the LGBTQ community-along with many heterosexuals-suffered through one of the darkest periods in history; therefore, I loudly applaud it as well.








 

"IN A WORLD"---RUN AND SEE THIS!!!

 "IN A WORLD" ...A MUST SEE!!!

HURRY! NOT PLAYING IN MANY THEATERS.

YEARS AGO I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY DIABLO CODY AND HER BRILLIANT SCREENPLAY  FOR "JUNO".

I JUST EXPERIENCED THIS SAME TYPE OF BRILLIANCE IN LAKE BELL AND HER PERFECT (!!!!) SCREENPLAY FOR "IN A WORLD"----WOW! WOW! WOW!

IT'S DIABLO CODY 2.0 SINCE ONLY NOW IS CODY DIRECTING-LAKE BELL ALSO DIRECTS "IN A WORLD"--GENIUS MIND & INSTINCTS.

HER CAST IS PERFECT, NOT ONE MISSTEP.

( LOUIS IS PLAYED BY THE ADORABLE DEMETRI MARTIN FROM TOMS RIVER, NJ & WHAT A PLEASURE TO SEE THE HYSTERICAL TIG NOTARO)

IT'S CURRENT YET NO CAPES, SUPERHEROS OR BLOWN UP CITIES OF TODAY OR IN 2030 LIKE SO MANY OF TODAY'S COOKIE CUTTER BORES. YOU DON'T NEED 3-D, JUST A BRAIN, A SENSE OF HUMOR AND  A LOT OF HEART.

THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW MOVIES THAT HAS BLOWN ME AWAY THIS YEAR (I KNOW THEY SAVE THE BEST FOR THE FALL, BUT WHATTA WAY TO KICK OFF THE SEASON!)

"IN A WORLD" DEALS WITH SO MANY OF LIFE'S ISSUES-AND DARE I SAY USING FILM CLICHES; HOWEVER, THEY ARE USED MASTERFULLY.

 ONE NEVER FEELS MANIPULATED, ONLY ELATED.

I KNOW A MOVIE IS GOOD WHEN YOU DON'T WANT IT TO END (THIS IS ONLY 93 MINUTES--I WANTED MORE).

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE ANYTHING BY LAKE BELL SOON.

I SAW LAKE BELL PROMOTING THIS & I WAS AFRAID THAT THE MOVIE MIGHT BE TOO ESOTERIC SINCE THE BACKDROP IS ABOUT THE WORLD OF VOICE OVER.

IT ISN'T AT ALL !

YOU WILL RELATE TO ALL THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUES, INSECURITIES AND AND CELEBRATORY MOMENTS WE ALL EXPERIENCE IN DIFFERENT SCENARIOS OF OUR LIVES.

AND YES YOU WILL NEVER TAKE THE ART OF  VOICE OVER LIGHTLY AGAIN.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOU'LL LEAVE THE THEATER FEELING REALLY GOOD.
________________________________________________________________

btw,  two things I saw & recommend the band " PINK MARTINI"--WHATTA SHOW THEY GAVE AT THE BEACON THEATER LAST SUNDAY--SPECTACULAR !!! (get their greatest hits album if you've never heard them)---AND Monday night's new sitcom "MOM"???--Hysterical!!!

talk later kids......................................................Xxxx

MOVIE: "PEOPLE LIKE US"-2 THUMBS UP!

LAST NIGHT I WAS BORED, FLIPPING THROUGH CHANNELS, WHEN I SAW "PEOPLE LIKE US" ON DEMAND AND SIMPLY SAID "WHY NOT"? I DID NOT EXPECT TO BE SO ENTERTAINED WITH LAST YEAR'S MOVIE. I CERTAINLY WASN'T PREPARED FOR ITS POWERFUL IMPACT.


I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT; AND HAVE A NEW FAVORITE DIRECTOR IN ALEX KURTZMAN. MANY KUDOS TO SCREENWRITERS:

Alex Kurtzman
Roberto Orci
Jody Lambert

KURTZMAN'S DIRECTION WAS IMPECCABLE BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE A BUFFET LINE: YOU NEVER REALLY KNEW WHAT WAS ON THE NEXT PLATTER BUT PLEASANTLY SURPRISED WHEN THE LAST DISH WAS AS GOOD AS THE PREVIOUS ONE. HIS PACING WAS AS SMOOTH AS BUTTER AND THE CASTING WAS PERFECTION.

I GOTTA ADMIT THAT I HAVE A NEW HOLLYWOOD CRUSH IN CHRIS PINE--THOSE EYES CAN MELT AN ICEBERG.

ELIZABETH BANKS HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER (SHE IS SO IMMERSED IN HER CHARACTER, I'M STUNNED OSCAR TALK HAS NOT BEEN HEARD).

 WHAT A TREAT TO SEE MICHELLE PFEIFFER ON SCREEN  AGAIN, WE KNOW SHE CAN LITERALLY AFFORD TO PICK & CHOOSE HER ROLES, AND SHE MUST HAVE KNOWN HOW AMAZING THIS SCRIPT WAS (MAN WE'RE GETTING OLD WHEN YOU SEE THE OLDER --YET, STILL STUNNING- MICHELLE AS THE  ANGUISHED MOTHER.

OLIVIA WILDE IS WONDERFUL

. HOWEVER, THE DIAMOND-IN-THE-ROUGH HERE IS  A NATIVE NEW YORKER: THE YOUNG BOY, MICHAEL HALL D'ADDARI. 

TO SAY THE STORY HAS POWERFUL MESSAGES IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. IT'S MASTERFUL! IT MOVED ME IN SO MANY DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, I'M STILL REELING FROM IT TODAY.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHY I PASSED IT BY IN 2012 BUT I DON'T WANT YOU TO MISS IT.

DID I MENTION CHRIS PINE IS HOTTT?--LOL 

"THE PAPERBOY", "SHADOWBOXER" AND LEE DANIELS--WOW!

 




DIRECTOR & PRODUCER LEE DANIELS IS A GOD!

AFTER SEEING HIS FINAL DIRECTORIAL WORK I AM CONVINCED HE DESERVES ALL THE ACCOLADES, AWARDS AND CONTINUAL RECOGNITION AS A TRUE VISIONARY IN CONTEMPORARY CINEMA. (I HAVE NOT SEEN "TENNESSEE" WHICH HE PRODUCED FOR MARIAH CAREY).

 DARE I SAY, LEE DANIELS CAN BE A MODERN DAY ALFRED HITCHCOCK  (A HIGH COMPLIMENT I WOULD NOT GIVE EASILY). WHERE HITCHCOCK MASTERED THE ART OF SUSPENSE, DANIELS ADDS THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT EVEN BETTER THAN MY MAN "HITCH".

 BEING THAT WE ARE OF THE GENERATION OF REALISM IN FILM, DANIELS BRUTALLY OFFERS-IN ALL ITS GORE-THE TRUE UNDERBELLY OF HUMAN NATURE. IF YOU ARE OF THE FAINT OF HEART, STAY AWAY. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FILM AS ART (HIS TECHNIQUES ARE AT ONCE ELEMENTARY & SOPHISTICATED), HE IS ONE TO STUDY.

HIS JUXTAPOSITION OF DEEP LOVE FOR THINGS THAT MATTER- WHICH CAN EVEN MAKE US ROOT FOR TRADITIONALLY  DESPICABLE  CHARACTERS- AND THAT OF THE UNDERDOG OR MORE TRADITIONAL "GOOD GUY/GAL" ONES IS BEYOND BRILLIANT. UNLIKE QUENTIN TARANTINO'S GORE FOR GORE'S SAKE, I PERSONALLY PREFER LEE DANIELS RATIONALE FOR THE BRUTAL EXTREMES IN CERTAIN " I DON'T WANNA LOOK" SCENES.

I ALWAYS GET THE FEELING TARANTINO IS MORE CONCERNED WITH THE THEATRICS AND/OR HISTRIONICS IN HIS MOVIES FOR THE SAKE OF SHOCK VALUE. IN THE SAME BREATH, I AM NOT DISMISSING TARANTINO ALTOGETHER.

NEVERTHELESS, I FEEL LEE IS TRULY CONCERNED WITH  LIFE AND WHAT WE REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE CAN BE OUT THERE BEHIND MANICURED LAWNS AND THOSE APPEARING "NORMAL"; EXACTLY WHAT HITCHCOCK WAS ABOUT.

MANY THEMES MAY OVERLAP BUT WHO CARES? THEY ARE ALL VERY DIFFERENT FILMS. TRY THEM!

IF YOU EVER HAVE THE TIME TO WATCH  LEE DANIELS' WORK-BEWARE TO BE SHOCKED, SURE, BUT PREPARE YOURSELF TO HAVE AN INDELIBLE STORY WHICH YOU WILL TRY TO ANALYZE LONG AFTER THE CREDITS HAVE ROLLED. YOU MAY EVEN BE NUMB FOR A FEW MINUTES/HOURS/DAYS.

HERE IS THE LIST:

Producer

• 2001: Monster's Ball
• 2004: The Woodsman
• 2005: Shadowboxer
• 2008: Tennessee
• 2009: Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire

Director

• 2005: Shadowboxer
• 2009: Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire
• 2012: The Paperboy
• 2013: The Butler

I RECENTLY SAW "THE PAPERBOY" AND TODAY  I WAS AGAIN INSPIRED AFTER WATCHING "SHADOWBOXER" . NOT ONLY WAS I AS IMPRESSED WITH THE OVERALL FILM AS I WAS WHEN I SAW "MONSTER'S BALL", "THE WOODSMAN" AND "PRECIOUS" BUT I REALIZE THE GENIUS IN LEE DANIELS' CASTING. HE CAN REALLY CAST A MOVIE (TAKE NOTE TYLER PERRY, IT'S ABOUT MORE THAN EXTERNAL BEAUTY AND THIN SCRIPTS).

SEXUALITY IS RAW & BEAUTIFUL IN THE FILMS OF LEE DANIELS ( I NEVER THOUGHT  CUBA GOODING, JR. COULD GET ME "EXCITED"). DANIELS MAKES THE VIEWER "FEEL" LIKE A GREAT PIECE OF MUSIC AND ANY EMOTIONALLY CHARGED PIECE OF ART CAN EVOKE.

I AM DELIGHTED TO KNOW I AM NOW LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HIS NEW FILM, "THE BUTLER". OFF TO RENT "TENNESSEE" --WE'LL TALK SOON KIDS...

Les Misérables (2012)

Les Misérables (2012)-In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole, agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's daughter, Cosette. The fateful decision changes their lives forever. 

____________________________________

TOO LONG & ALL THAT DAMN SINGING!

I COULDN'T WAIT FOR IT TO BE OVER! 

 

It is ironic I say this with such aplomb because when it was on Broadway I saw it 4 times and loved it!

When translating a Broadway piece you need the right director for that specific transition.

Sometimes it works: "Chicago", "Gypsy", "Funny Girl" and others.

Sometimes it bombs: "Rent", "A Chorus Line" and now "Les Miz".

I adore Tom Hooper. He directed one of my all time favorite movies, "The King's Speech". Sadly here he missed the mark. The casting, costumes and cinematography were good. I think he wanted the audience to see this as a literal historical piece & it came off as a fantasy; whereupon, he asked of us too much suspension from reality. In the theater, it's easier to do that. 

I kept thinking that Buz Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge") would have presented the script as a fantasy & I would have been more on board. Hooper kept me at a disconnect from his intent & it's translation. Ironically, Luhrmann is directing the upcoming "The Great Gatsby" and I think Hooper would be the better director. We'll see.

And who cares that Hopper made the actors sing live on set instead of the traditional prerecorded technique? It was an apparent struggle for some-namely, Russell Crowe. And I loved all the scenes involving women in the factories, skid row, etc. Additionally, nominating Anne Hathaway with minimal screen time seems unfair (don't get me wrong, it wasn't as bad as Judi Dench getting an Oscar for 8 min. in "Shakespeare in Love", but close). It just pisses me off.  Hathaway has gotten all the awards & will get the Osacr but I think others deserved it best. I love Hathaway but...

 

No one has really mentioned Samantha Barks in "Les Miz"-she was superb!

 

All in all it wasn't the hit I wanted it to be. If Sacha Baron Cohen's Thenardier and Helena Bonham Carter's Madame Thenardier weren't there for levity I think I would have sliced my wrist w/ the ticket stub.

Better luck next time Hopper.

"LINCOLN" & "SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK"

 4 FOR 4: "ARGO", "THE SESSIONS", " THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER" & now the amazing, "SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK"--WOW!!!

 I had hoped "LINCOLN" would make it five.
NOPE!
(I will be tarred & feathered by most viewers-so be it).

From the beginning to the very end, "Sliver Linings Playbook" had me riveted to the original story and stunning characters; especially the tour-de-force performance by  Bradley Cooper. I know a bit of his acting background and was always waiting for him to pull out all that learning and apply it --here he exceeds it, over & over & over & over...
 Finally the muses  smiled upon him w/ a perfect blend of a genius script, sensitive director, gripping introspection (which his character reveals in morsels to his audience) and a terrific supporting cast. I cannot believe this is the hunk behind movies which had never challenged him before like those "hangover" ones. He was always beautiful to look at but here we got to see that overt beauty take a back seat to his spirit and cerebral manipulations.
For my money I would give him the Oscar right now!
Not since Jack Nicholson In "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" or Al Pacino in "Dog Day Afternoon" have I seen an actor own a character with so many ebbs & flow to it. He has you in the palm of his hands & does a complete 180 just when you think you understand his next move. BRAVO!
The story is full of genuine family dynamics, hope, betrayal and lots of humor interwoven and so desperately needed since it tackles a myriad of uncomfortable issues.
Jennifer Lawrence acts years beyond her young life. She gives the type of performance a much more seasoned actress would. Again, I cannot believe this is the girl from "The Hunger Games"--what a difference a script makes! I nominate her for best actress as well. And finally Robert DeNiro does not phone in his performance, as he has been doing for years. He gives his character the complexities desperately needed--and man is he funny! 
I URGE YOU TO GO & SEE IT TODAY! You will feel better than when you came in--guaranteed!

OH, THEN THERE'S "LINCOLN".
I may sound full of contradictions in what you're about to read but let me be clear, I kept looking at my watch; never a good sign.
I gotta say Kushner wrote a great screenplay (typically dense) based on Goodwin's book. Spielberg directs it almost brilliantly (though some of the scenes screamed studio back lot & not Civil War). Spielberg does display brilliance when we first see Lincoln (Day-Lewis) --perfect lighting/camera work, etc.--it literally gave me chills.
Daniel Day-Lewis could not be a better Abe; his resemblance is uncanny, although he seemed to be channeling Bill Clinton in his tone & delivery. HE WILL GET THE OSCAR, SADLY.
The first grueling three quarters of the movie was a glorified history lesson with names & facts thrown  at the audience (I get it , they were establishing the foundation for what was to happen later, but UGH! REALLY? A HISTORY LESSON?). I kept hearing how audiences around the country actually cheered at certain parts--of course, the overt musical manipulation made you do that-again UGH! Every actor in Hollywood appears at some point. It must have been really special to have a tiny but pivotal part for S.Epatha Merkerson. Obviously, this was THE film to be in-shades of "Gone with the Wind", if you will.
What happened , for me, was the old Merchant-Ivory curse: a really well made film that simply wasn't entertaining. Like I told a friend who salivates with anything regarding politics & history, "For people like you, this was a filmic orgasm". I, on the other hand, barely experienced foreplay-and no one was more sorry than moi.
I wanted to love it. I barely liked it.

"ARGO": A MUST SEE

"ARGO" IS A NEAR PERFECT MOVIE.


 



I came to the film knowing the plot but was wondering how the screenplay would be handled under the direction of pretty boy, Ben Affleck--he's not just a pretty face anymore. He has come into his own as a director (listen up George Clooney). Along w/ turning this film into a near perfection viewing experience (there was a hint of melodrama when focused of Affleck's character's personal life, oh well).  Affleck's acting is subtle allowing those who need to be more "in-your-face" shine (especially Alan Arkin who deserves another Oscar and Bryan Cranston his first),
Good for you, Ben,  for stepping back and letting the film shine as the perfect ensemble piece it's meant to be.

Being a political suspense/thriller it constantly reminded me of Alan Pakula's "All the President's Men". His pacing, explicit explanation of the true events and impeccable editing kept the entire audience on the edge of their seats--applause was heard in key scenes--what? KUDOS!
One got the feeling we were experiencing the events in real time (though Affleck's team perfectly captured the period-mostly through various styles of telephones).

This will probably be the film to beat at this year's Oscars; then again, I haven't seen "Lincoln" or "Les Miserables" yet.

But go see "Argo". Many of us remember this horrific time in history; therefore, it will resonate even more to you. Those too young will attend a very pleasurable history lesson.

What made me the most sad after watching "Argo" is that the world is actually worse today. Enough already! Like John Lennon said,  "Give peace a chance".

The world looks so ugly right now, you would have thought we would have learned something back in the 1970's huh? What to do? What to do?

UPDATE: WINS ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST PICTURE -2013--KUDOS!!!

" SPARKLE" 2012..(remake of 1976)

FUN, FUN, FUN !!!

BUT, ONE OF THE WORST MOVIES EVER MADE.
I OWN THE 1976 VERSION-WHICH ITSELF IS PRETTY TACKY AND A BORE TO WATCH.  THE 2012 "SPARKLE" IS ABOUT HALF A NOTCH BETTER BUT AT LEAST IT'S FUN BECAUSE IT'S SO DARN CAMPY. WE ALSO GET THE PRIVILEDGE TO WATCH OUR WHITNEY HOUSTON BRILLIANTLY PERFORM HER LAST SONG FOR THE PUBLIC.

"SPARKLE" is a throw-back to the melodrama of the the late 50's & early 1960's --I was waiting for the ocean hitting the rocks at any moment indicating sex was occurring..lol...

I laughed throughout at the sheer amateur writing, directing and overall poor acting of the film. the wigs deserve a special "Rotten Tomatoes" award (they could have consulted any NY drag queen for better fake hair--oy vey!).

Jordan Sparks ranks as the worst breakout newcomer in film to date (say what you will about Mairah Carey in "Glitter" but she is awesome in comparison). Sparks needs to get serious acting lessons or just stick to being the talented & beautiful singer we all know her to be. Carmen Ejojo is sultry, pathetic & stunningly beautiful in her tragic role, but it is Tika Sumpter that delivers w/ her amazing acting chops. Tamela J. Mann was great too.

I gotta say a lot of HOTTT eye candy..the men are smokin!!! (that Omari Hardwick? Double Danm!)

The soundtrack is ok with lots of recycled songs. I think I will pick & choose some of the songs for my playlist but avoid buying the entire CD.

The most heartbreaking part of this movie is not the forced cliche situations written into the script  but the painful foreshadowing & reflection of  Whitney Houston's real life her character shares.

Everyone was portraying real life people, in my opinion. Michael Epps was the Sammy Davis Jr. prototype while Cee-lo Green channeled Barry White. Whitney could have been channeling herself as her mother, Cissy Houston. Reminding a younger more naive  rising star about  the perils of the entertainment world & its glaring spotlight  -where they can tragically lead.

"Martha Marcy May Marlene"-(2011)-MOVIE

My curiosity in seeing this film is that I had never seen Elizabeth Olsen( the prettiest sister of the Olsen twins) in anything and had heard good word-of-mouth about her acting chops.

SHE WAS AMAZING!

The movie itself  is painfully slow paced. Although I'm fascinated by cults (just like drag queens, I love to see what makes them tick-it's hard to wrap my head around both), yet this was a boring expose of the cult Olsen's character belongs. I don't recommend it unless you want to see a study in good acting from everyone (John Hawkes, Hugh Dancy, Snand Paulson, et al.). I found the script uninteresting and the directing average at best. Only one lighting dissolve was really brilliant. Although promoted as a psychological thriller it evoked melodrama at times (as in the boat scene).

Elizabeth Olsen is among this generation of brilliant actors, such as:  Emma Stone, Bryce Howard, Ben McKenzie, the Gummer sisters (Meryl's daughters) and especially Shailene Woodley.


I hate to see actors acting-lol.

 Let me explain, if the actor appears to be reading from the script, not allowing themselves  to submerge within the character, I'm disappointed and bored. Or if a star repeats the same emotions, reactions, mannerisms in every movie, then, to me, they are not interesting actors-simply stars--yawn!

Few are Viola Davis, Helen Mirren, Edward Norton, Meryl Streep and the like (in them you never see the acting, they ARE the characters they play, which makes them fascinating when examining their entire body of work).
The other side of that coin are Julia Roberts, George Clooney, etc. (likable but no surprises EVER!) They are REDUNDANT -no element of depth and/or surprise. People pay to see THEM not a new character. It's always been that way in Hollywood.
 

MOVIE: "J.EDGAR"

J. Edgar Hoover, powerful head of the FBI for nearly 50 years, looks back on his professional and personal life: pioneer, closet homosexual, shady, rude, egotistical, unrelenting and all in all not a very nice person.He did, however, think of areas in forensics (fingerprinting,etc) and intelligence which we still implement today. A smart man with little heart and a twisted soul!

Director: Clint Eastwood 

 

 This was, in my opinion, too ambitious a fete for Eastwood. In the past he has done some good stuff when directing other movies (excellent job in "Gran Torino" , pretty good job with "Million Dollar Baby" et. al.) However,  here he seems lost. He makes uninteresting and predictable choices and worse of all casting, who I usually like, Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover. DiCaprio is full of histrionics. He over-acts the part and makes it a caricature. It was annoying after a while which made it hard to focus on the historical issues presented. I'm usually upset that a director does not develop a character, here Eastwood over-kills it.

What could have been a great movie-after all, Hoover is one of the most controversial people in the 20th century- felt like a history lesson, except the class ran too long. If he had edited many of the parts with Hoover's mother and sped up other areas, it might have worked.

I did appreciate the honesty of Eastwood -not pussy footing around the most controversial detail regarding Hoover's homosexual reputation yet closeted existence. His long time companion (Clyde Tolson) was played to perfection by Armie Hammer, in  the best performance of his career to date. Their love story was well done.

 Naomi Watts was excellent too. Judi Dench was good.

Overall  the entire movie  was pretty boring.

Eastwood did capture all the periods beautifully in clothing, hair & make-up. Armie Hammer is unrecognizable as an old man--WOW!

What was interesting to me was that Eastwood, in his real life, is a staunch conservative yet the movie serves a very liberal slant. I could have sworn, if the movie was better directed, that it was an Oliver Stone project. That was the most mind blowing part of watching this movie.

 Good for you Eastwood!

I think the "BIOGRAPHY CHANNEL" may have a less tedious version of Hoover's life. I will check that out soon.

Now that it's a rental -and you can watch it in sections while not fear paying $13.00 for this- I rate it 2.5 stars of out 5---your call...

MOVIE: "LOVE" (AMOUR) WINS AT CANNES

Postcard from Cannes: 'Love' conquers all

"This was Haneke's second time winning the Palme, just three years after his success with “The White Ribbon." Sunday's honor makes him only the sixth filmmaker to have triumphed twice in the festival’s 65-year history. (Other repeat winners include Francis Coppola and the Dardennes brothers.)
Haneke's “Amour” is a tender, compassionate film about an elderly married couple – played by veteran French actors Jean Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva – confronting the impact of terminal illness..."



 

MOVIES: "BERNIE" & "YOUNG VICTORIA"

This last week I was reminded , once again, that a movie can make two hours go by without investing in much emotional effort as in the recently released movie, "BERNIE". Consequently , another movie can not only suspend you to another place in time -mentally & emotionally- but enlighten and entertain historically, as in the 2009, "YOUNG VICTORIA". The later is -and I don't use this word often- a masterpiece!

Both films are biographical yet worlds apart, in this case literally.  "Bernie" is based on the true story of the modern day quirky, Texas mortician , Bernie Tiede (under-played efficiently by Jack Black) whose complicated involvement with the town's cranky, widow (in a now familiar role Shirley MacLaine has perfected since "Steel Magnolias").
"YOUNG VICTORIA" is  beautifully set in the 19th century. We see a young, rebellious, beautiful Queen Victoria surprise our senses and dispel much of the uptight Victorian principles we so generally accept. Additionally how much her and King Albert did for the less fortunate and for the arts. One cannot ignore the parallels in today's "occupy" movement as well.

I shy away from two things in movies: the Coen brothers (yawn-pretentious, save for "FARGO") and period pieces, but I was wrong on one count here.
I was procrastinating watching "YOUNG VICTORIA" due to the period element and boy was I wrong to deprive myself in what I am now considering one of my top 5 movies EVER! It was flawless!!! Like a good book, I know I am enjoying a film when I don't want it to end. I could have watched this as a mini-series or an 8 hours film. I tip my hat to EVERYONE involved. Emily Blunt wipes the screen with this one, and the restrained passionate performance of Rupert Friend is magnificent; however, it was the entire  collaboration which makes this film exceptional. High praises go to director Jean-Marc Vallée and the cinematographers, as well as the costumer, hairdressers--ALL OF IT!

If you like the Coen brothers-type movies ("Bernie" is not them, but their same style of storytelling, the actual director is Richard Linklater) you will thoroughly enjoy "BERNIE".
Maybe if John Waters had a hand in it I would have enjoyed this black comedy more.

But DO NOT miss "YOUNG VICTORIA".
 If you're in love or have ever loved-a person, a cause, a country or the nuances of everyday life you will savor this film from beginning to end.

"THE HUNGER GAMES" (2012)

A well made movie for teenagers--not for people my age (I was elated I did not pay admission). It was still impactful since I can see the class distinction and other elements that warrant metaphors of not only class but government control, exploitation of our salacious nature as reality TV viewers, etc ( I could even see it paralleling the Holocaust's tragic course of events). But I didn't NEED this movie to explore those issues since I have so many time in my life w/ books, newspapers and interviews regarding the imbalance & injustice in our world. Additionally, there was so much CGI that I had a hard time trying to suspend the reality of unreality--if that make sense to you. It tried desperately to be a character driven story  (which are my favorite kind) but failed at almost every turn.

So for the demographic it was intended it's a home-run-well #1 at the box office for three weeks is clear evidence of that...

As a cinephile what disturbed me the most was the director's poor choice regarding the opening scene --when you begin so farcical it is painfully hard to then care of genuine human emotions and unbearable issues of poverty and abuse. It has elements of comedy but the message was far from funny, in my opinion, so why preface the movie with overt comical images? It was a disconnect too way off base for the rest of the premise. The young actors are adequate and quite beautiful to look at and Woody Harrelson's talent was a pleasure to visually savor.

On a complete sidebar: were all the upper class gay-or should I rephrase that & say effeminate?

"The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" aka "Cocoon" with Curry, side order of Gay

LOVED IT!  FUNNY! PERFECT CAST! COLORFUL LOCATION!
This is great family entertainment!

I loved that it wasn't the 8-packed "Twilight"-esque actors we are so use to seeing in most movies nowadays; instead, it was elderly people in their own particular prime ready for the "now" experience. Impossible to really give the viewer too much back story since we are trying to get to where the 7 main characters are, the screenwriter & director still do a pretty damn good job for us to care about each & every one of them. The generation gap may exist but the human needs/hopes/dreams are transcended (fear not youngsters, young love is also explored).

The beauty of this film is the message. If you are an older viewer you get immediately-as I did-if you are younger pay close attention so your life is fuller & ultimately happier.

GREAT LESSONS HERE...

Take the entire family.
 Something for all.
As usual, Maggie Smith & Judi Dench steal the movie w/ colorful India as its backdrop.

OPENS MAY 4, 2012

"BULLY" (2012)--the movie

Although "BULLY" (2001), based on actual events dealt with this pandemic problem, it was, after all, dramatized, allowing the viewer an opportunity for detachment.. In this latest documentary "BULLY" by Lee Hirsch (2012) one is placed in a more voyeuristic position; one feels the pain of both the victims & their families more passionately.

If you're a parent this documentary is invaluable, the dialogue is inescapable.. No one famous here, which makes the audience feel "a part of" (the solution or the problem).


Even a childless person , such as myself, remembers being bullied himself due to his sexual orientation- although not crippled by my past, the scars are forever. I was a teacher for 20 years and remember the importance of  establishing respect within the environment I worked.  Many a lunch time I would just watch from my window-from a purely sociological  standpoint- how the kids would interact during their lunch period in the schoolyard. If I saw foul play. I would strongly address it with concrete reprimands and consequences (which was one of the most disturbing parts of this film-the negligence and apathy of the principal--sadly, she knew she was being filmed and this was her BEST behavior? WOW!) Standing up for the under dog has been a way of life for me, my interest in considering becoming a lawyer or consumer advocate can surely be traced  to the mistreatment and injustice I once received (and , at times still feel-especially in the political/ religious arena).


The most heartbreaking comment, which also resonated the loudest for this viewer, was when a bible-thumping mother claims ( I'm paraphrasing here) their church taught all the evils about homosexuality and she taught them as well, till she sobs, "until it became personal". EXACTLY!

Anderson Cooper recently had most of the children and their families on his afternoon show "Anderson" . They address their lives today (can I just say Kelby would be a great person for Gloria Steinem to pass her torch to, a young girl remarkably way beyond her years in depth of understanding). There was a beauty of watching the camaraderie amongst the victims on the show which was touching and perhaps healing  (always recommended by the mental health profession when tragedy hits one's life ).


Although the topic is a powerful one and this documentary is worth watching , I'm not sure Hirsch was the best person for the job. I know it was not a musical but a subject I am so passionate about should not make me doze off. More was needed, though I'm not sure what that was. I admire his diligence and bravery but I think his weakness is in balance. The rationale of the bully in never fully-if at all-explored.

Movie: "We Need to Talk About Kevin"

Movie: "WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN"--provocative & suspenseful--Kevin makes the girl in "The Bad Seed" look like Snow White--I was impressed with how in sync technical, talent & everything else works...I went w/ no expectations & actually enjoyed the ride.

"SHAME"----the movie

MOVIE: "SHAME"--very provocative! instead of a movie with answers, it's a movie full of questions and alternative conclusions--this was mostly a good thing (at times I felt we deserved some back story). The acting is top-notch! New York is captured realistically--the glamour & the grime. After seeing "all" of Michael Fassbender (my new celebrity crush) I love him the more! 3.5 stars (out of 5).